Few bike racks in Davis are topped with this symbol.
iPhone tracking
Pete Warden, founder of Data Science Toolkit, and Allasdair Allan, a research fellow at the University of Exeter, recently stumbled upon a database, hidden in the backups of iPhones and iPads, which contains timestamped location information for your phone. What does this mean? It means that built in to the iPhone’s operating system (iOS 4) is a set of recorded information about the cell phone towers and networks to which your phone has connected.
So what?
So, if you know how to interpret this data, you can track where someone (assuming people follow their phones) has been as long as you can get access to either their iPhone or the computer they usually use to sync their iPhone. For people with any privacy concerns, this could be a problem.
And with the release of mapping software created by the two hackers who discovered the database, you don’t even have to know how to interpret the code yourself. Just install iPhoneTracker (Mac only) on the computer you use to sync your iPhone, and you’ll be amazed — perhaps alarmed — at the level of detail of the information it shows you. The data is displayed as a map, with timestamped entries animated in a chronological sequence. You can view your entire last year’s movements at once, or play through your travels in a video.
I’m guessing, since mine does not show any South American entries, that it does not capture WiFi networks. I kept my iPhone in Airplane mode while I was in Ecuador so that I wouldn’t be charged the exorbitant international roaming fees. But I did use the WiFi connection both in my apartment and at hotspots throughout Quito. That none of these show on my map tells me that the phone’s software must be recording only information collected from cellular networks. Plus, if you drill down far enough into the map, the circles (representing a connection) stand in odd locations. That is, if this was tracking where I was, it should show a circle at my house, place of employment, or favorite restaurants. However, the circles on my map are situated in areas where cellular towers are more likely to be. In a desperate attempt to cover a breaking story, some news organizations (ahem, ones owned by Murdoch) have said that this software shows where you have been down to the level of detail of houses. While that may be, the iPhoneTracker visualizer does not show such detail.
Since I drove across the United States last year, you can see the kind of detailed information it collects. In short, as far as data visualization efforts go: pretty cool. However, the fact that Apple is recording your movements within its products (whether or not this data is being transmitted anywhere) without telling its consumers: not cool.
If you have concerns about the accessibility of this information, you should know that there is currently no way to opt out of this data collection. It does not appear as though any of the data is being transmitted to Apple or to anyone else, but the only way to add some measure of protection is to choose to encrypt your iPhone backups (an option within iTunes).
Below is a video of Pete Warden and Allasdair Allan talking about their discovery and why they decided to release the visualization tool to the public.
Pollen season
The temperature is a glorious 68º, there is not a cloud in the sky, and sun’s warmth beckons everyone outdoors. I tried sitting outside to read tonight, but the yellow breeze blew back.
Pollen season is in full swing when a golden layer settles on the screen of the ereader between page-turning finger swipes. Eventually, there is just a monochromatic streak through the yellow tree gametes accumulating like snow.
When the tree above me dropped a spent cone, its wellspring of pollen, onto The Lords of Discipline
What the screen-capture doesn’t capture are the grains of pollen yellowing the glass touchscreen.
Why I chose the Sony Reader instead of a Kindle
UPDATE: I have since sold the Reader and moved on to the Kindle. Read why.
While living in Ecuador last year, I realized the appeal of ebooks. To play on ZipCar‘s motto, ebooks are books when you want them, where ever you are.*
We’re spoiled in the US by the relative omnipresence of cheap paperbacks, whether used or new. By comparison to the US, hardbacks and paperbacks are difficult to come by in Latin America, even if you are looking for books in Spanish. Books in English are not only more rare, they are much more expensive as well. But, when I had finished reading the books I had taken with me — including Bolaño’s 898-page tome 2666 — and had a hankering to re-read Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby
While I would have preferred not to read it on a backlit screen, after setting the page color to a paperback-esque yellow and the font to a size that would neither strain my eyes nor require me to change pages every few words, I sat back and accepted Nick Carraway’s invitation to the cloistered, vapid, monochrome parties of the 1920′s unrestrained materialism. “Turning” the pages by swiping my thumb to the left felt oddly natural, and by the time I was a few chapters in, I was simply reading, with little to no attention paid to the medium.
So after returning to the US, I considered picking up a Kindle Wireless
My mind returned again and again to the convenience of carrying (not just a book, but) a library in my hand. I remembered the ease with which I called up the book I wanted to read. And so, I started looking again at Kindles. This time, however, I needed to learn more about how it all worked. And by the time I was ready to buy an ebook reader, I had talked myself out of the Kindle and into getting a Sony Reader Touch edition, the PRS-650 model. Here’s why; for me, it came down to three things.
First, and most importantly, the Sony supports more formats, including epub. epub is becoming the industry standard as well as the standard that libraries are adopting as they roll out digital lending programs, it’s one of the formats in which you can buy books through the Google eBookstore, and it does not necessarily have DRM (the digital rights management lock on books). In fact, “the official EPUB standard does not include any specifications for DRM, however, most EPUB distributors at this time are using the Adobe ADEPT DRM system.” Amazon will be forced to adopt epub at some point, and they will likely just “turn on” epub support through a firmware update. But so far, they have not. Kindle books must come from the Kindle store. Which means that most of the books you will be reading on a Kindle are books you pay for.
Specfically, epub is the format that public libraries are adopting. Many city libraries already offer patrons the option to check out ebooks, but you have to have an ereader that supports the lending formats. Kindles do not currently support book lending, so some of the more clunky iterations of ebook lending require patrons to check out library-owned Kindles on which the ebooks reside. At the end of the two week lending period, patrons are required to return the Kindle to the library. With epub books, however, libraries are able to offer ebook downloads (without requiring the patron’s presence in the library) via the patron’s library account.
And in 2012, we should see the first large-scale roll out of academic press ebook programs. “Large-scale e-book platforms organized by JSTOR, Project MUSE, Oxford University Press, and a consortium led by several midsize presses are all on the verge of going live, ” says Jennifer Howard in a January 2011 article in The Chronicle of Higher Education. While JSTOR and others have not yet committed to a format, academic presses are more likely to adopt a platform that serves a greater number of ereaders (i.e. .epub) than a format that serves only one (i.e. the Kindle’s proprietary .mobi and .AZW)
So, getting an ereader with epub support was a no brainer for me.
As for the issues surrounding DRM, while necessary to ensure artists can make a living from their work, the technology of enforcement always feels a few steps behind – morally and technologically. I am more than a little irritated that I can not transfer the Kindle version of The Great Gatsby, purchased to read on my iPhone, to my Sony Reader. I have read about software scripts that crack the DRM, allowing you to strip the DRM’s lock, then reformat the azw file using Calibre. Considering that I own two paperback copies and a hardback of The Great Gatsby in addition to the ebook, I will feel no qualms transferring a “cracked’ copy to my Sony Reader once I figure out the nuances of the KindleUnSwindle. The relative ease with which you can crack the DRM on ebooks seems to be bark with no bite.**
Second, I wanted my ereader experience to preserve what’s best about the book reading experience and build on it. I think books are already based on fantastic technology. But as I said above, I also see the advantage of being able to carry a library with me – to the café, on vacation, or when I travel.
I knew that I was looking for an ereader with eInk. I spend enough hours of the day looking at backlit screens. And the touch-screen finger swipe feels natural for turning pages. I had gotten used to it on the iPhone, and I felt that it would have taken me a long time to get used to clicking a button to turn a page. Buttons are characteristic of devices, and I wanted my reading experience to remain as closely connected to turning pages as possible.
I also wanted to retain the ability to highlight passages and take notes, but I didn’t want to be distracted by the endless possibilities of what I could do with the ebook reader. On my new Reader, I’ve got highlighting and bookmarking pages down, but the Sony Reader does not have any internet connection — a blessing and a curse. I wanted something that is designed for the reading experience only, and none of my paperbacks have WIFI. But, I see, too, the advantages of being able to sync highlighted sections with something online. Something I recently noticed is that, if I buy books through Google’s bookstore, then in addition to the epub file I download, I have the option to read the books online. I would never want to read the book on my laptop, in a browser, but it’s great to have laptop access to the books when I need to search through them.
All Things Shining, my first book on the Sony Reader
Third, aesthetics. The Sony Reader is the only ebook reader I looked at with an aluminum (rather than plastic) body. It feels more solid and more sturdy in my hand without feeling any heavier than the Kindle or others. My sense is that the Sony Reader’s body will be more durable over time. And frankly, I think the brushed aluminum body looks better than the plastic framing the Kindle, Nook, or Kobo.
So far, I’m very happy with it. The pages may “turn” a fraction of a second more slowly than the Kindle, but there is less lag-time than with the Nook or Kobo. Sony makes a smaller version of the touchscreen Reader, called the Pocket, but it felt too small in my big hands. If I had smaller hands, the Pocket would indeed have been more attractive, as I am already inclined to leave my messenger bag at home and carry only my Reader with me to work. The Pocket could slip in a jacket pocket, whereas my PRS-650 Touch Edition is a bit too large for that. Instead, I just carry it in a protective case of its own.
No doubt, hyperbole is the BEST form of argument. In the last few years, I was one of those people who said many times that I would NEVER use an ereader. I’m too much a bibliophile; I like the feel, the smell, the low-tech, off-line nature of the classic book. But, all things in moderation… ereading is an experiment for me. The eInk screen is beautiful and simple, I am getting used to the ability to carry multiple books with me, without having to carry an internet-connected device (i.e. a tool of distraction). The black and white screen, the lack of wifi, and the simple, unadorned look of the Sony Reader Touch edition all appeal to the closeted and confused luddite buried in my soul.
*I realize that the “where ever you are” is a little more complicated than I’ve presented it. Many vendors won’t sell ebooks in certain countries, measures they enforce by blocking IP addresses from those countries. Given, however, the ease with which one can set up proxy servers or VPNs to make one’s computer appear as though it is within a country that’s selling the book (or service) you want, I don’t consider this a real restriction. Like DRM, it’s bark with no bite.
** The problem with easy-to-crack DRM is piracy. Skud, someone I met at THAT Camp SF, has two great posts on ebook piracy.
http://infotrope.net/2011/02/01/ebook-discussions-flying-under-the-radar/
http://infotrope.net/2011/02/05/more-on-those-ebook-discussions/
soy un ciclista
In a city where pedestrians and cyclists enjoy no respect, I dig this graffiti.
Photo taken in the neighborhood where I lived in Quito.
Google Goggles
Maybe I’m late noticing this new feature, but I’ve just discovered Google Goggles. It’s a beta implementation of something I’ve wondered about for a long time: imagine a reverse-lookup engine for Google Images. Instead of typing in text to find an image of what you know you’re looking for, Google Goggles lets you take a picture of something and search for what it is. That is, Google Goggles is “visually searching.” Combining OCR (when there is text in the photo, like on a business card) with object recognition (e.g. bar codes), Google Goggles must cross reference your photos with a huge database of landmarks and icons. Demos on the site show it working on the Eiffel Tower and Transamerica Pyramid.
It currently works on both the Android (min. 1.6) and iPhone (iOS 4) platforms. Goggles is part of the Google app. So, if you have already installed the Google App, you may already have Goggles on your phone. If not, then update the app, and it should now be one of the search options.
After discovering it on my phone, I ran a few tests myself. Using what is available in my office, I wanted to see how well Goggles works on a few of my everyday objects.
As one of the developers says in the video (below), this technology is new and has a long way to go. Nevertheless, I see already some strong potential and many uses for this, especially as it gets better identifying art works.
How do you think you might use this new technology?
Anyone else’s iPhone buggy since updating OS?
Ever since “upgrading” my iPhone 3GS to the new OS4, my phone has had a few problems. The response time of the touchscreen has slowed, and the sensitivity skips. Often, I am able to type out only three of the four digits required to unlock the phone. Once the phone is unlocked, it sometimes appears to be “hung” in a process, stuttering under my touch. Prior to the fourth iteration of the operating system, the touchscreen was more responsive; the images underneath the layers of glass moved more fluidly in sync with my fingers.
I have been getting used to typing my passcode more slowly and waiting for the phone’s processor to catch up to my inputs. But now I’ve noticed another problem, this one more serious. Once a week, my phone stops picking up the 3G network. If I’m outside of a WiFi zone, I’m stuck with the slower Edge network, where the gray “I’m doing something” progress wheel spins at half the speed at which I like to see it spin. If I reboot the phone, the 3G network comes back. But really. Should I have to reboot my phone just to check email?
Anyone else seeing similar problems since upgrading the OS?
Technology-related advice on traveling to Quito, Ecuador
Although my focus here is on traveling from the U.S. to Quito, much of what I recommend applies elsewhere in South America, indeed in much of the world.
There’s WIFI everywhere. Ecuador is in the middle of an exciting explosion of Internet access, and you’ll see netbooks advertised daily in newspapers and magazines. That said, feel free to bring a laptop, iPhone, iPad or whatever else you want to use to get online. In fact, having one will make it very easy for you to communicate with the States. Here’s the caveat — bring a good lock for a laptop and make sure you keep up with anything else that’s portable and valuable. Once down here, keep the laptop in a safe or always locked up, depending on your living situation, when you’re not using it. There’s not much of a laptop-in-café culture down here, and that’s probably because laptop thefts are so common. If you are the kind of person who does like to use a laptop at a café, stop by Nocion Café, at Foch y Seis de Deciembre. A little place, painted orange, the owners are a friendly young couple. You’ll see netbooks and MacBooks side by side in this café. And their espresso is fantastic.
For calling the US, I strongly recommend setting up a Google Voice account (and learning to use it) and then a Skype phone number. The Skype number is a paid feature of Skype’s otherwise free services, but it’s not that expensive (ca. $20 for three months?) and it attaches a phone number to your Skype account. This is a way for people in the US to call you without paying international fees. You set up the number with whatever area code you want, so for some people, this will just be a local call.
Of course, you can still use Skype to connect with other Skype users (for voice, video, and text chat), but now you also have a number that friends and family can call from their phones and connect to you on Skype.
Add Google Voice to the mix, and you have a way to call any phone number in the US (and Canada) for free. It’s hard to explain how Google Voice works if you aren’t familiar with it, but basically you tell Google Voice (via its website) who you want to call and which phone number of yours you want it to use (in this case, the Skype number), and Google Voice connects your laptop with the phone number you want to call. I set this up for business (since I am working while down here), and it has also been useful for keeping in touch with family. The catch with Google Voice is that you have to register for it, and you have to register while you’re in the US. You can’t sign up for it once you’re down here. But, if you signed up for it ahead of time, it will work while you’re down here.
Speaking of geographically restricted content, Amazon digital downloads, Pandora, Hulu, and Crackle don’t work outside the US. The iTunes Store and Joost will work, but if you want to get access to the others, you can use a VPN or web-based proxies. They’re not as reliable (mainly because you are relying on someone else to keep them working), but when they do work, it’s just like being in the US.
For backing up your computer, I recommend Dropbox. Use the paid version if you have more than 2GB of data you want to keep backed up. It works flawlessly down here. Plus, if the unfortunate happens and your laptop is stolen, breaks, or otherwise inconveniences you, Dropbox will have all of your data accessible to you online (and ready to sync with a new computer).
A Flickr Pro account will let you create as many Sets of photos as you want, and since you can upload photos at full resolution, it’s a great online backup for your photographic recordings of your experiences. YouTube will back up any videos you take (edited or raw), within their time/GB restrictions. Use Vimeo if you have videos longer than 8minutes. The privacy settings for Flickr, Vimeo, and YouTube allow you to store videos/photos on their servers but leave them private if you want to.
For local communications, you’ll want a cell phone. Any GSM cell phone (except an iPhone purchased in the US*) will work down here. If you have one, just bring it and plan to replace the SIM card with one from an Ecuatoriano company. There are two major companies, Movistar (a division of the Spanish telecommunications company Telefónica) and Porta. Both have equivalent cost features and coverage in Quito (in my experience), but Movistar has better coverage outside of Quito. So, I went with Movistar. If you have a GSM phone and want to use it, expect to pay about $25 for a local SIM.
Because my iPhone wouldn’t work down here (see below), I bought the cheapest cell phone Telefónica would sell me ($60) with no monthly plan. Instead, I buy minutes $6 at a time. You can purchase cards with scratch-off codes to recharge your minutes or, more and more often, have your phone’s minutes magically recharged at tiendas all over town. I stop by the same places where I pop in to buy water and add $6 at a time to my phone.
*I have an iPhone and brought it with me. Sure enough, there is some kind of software lock on it that keeps it from working with anything but AT&T, so I was not able to use a Telefónica (Movistar) SIM card with it. I still use it on WIFI networks, but I keep it in airplane mode to keep it from roaming. Of course, you can buy an unlocked iPhone from Movistar, but plan to pay more than a grand for it.
Tocar las nubes | Touch the clouds
In Quito, Ecuador, clouds roll in from the northeast to shroud the neighborhood La Floresta in a mystical ether.
Handheld camera + a wall + Gnarls Barkley covering Radiohead’s haunting “Reckoner.”
The Outspokin’ Cyclist
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